The former Wallabies coach, who also helped mastermind South Africa’s World Cup triumph last year, is backing his English coaching talent to turn the club and its players into Europe’s finest.

Speaking on today’s rfu.com podcast, Jones said: “Not only do we want to produce good English players, we want to produce good English coaches. I see that as one of my major responsibilities.

“Alex Sanderson has done a good two-year apprenticeship and is ready to step up. Paul Gustard comes in as skills coach, he’s bright, enthusiastic, hard working and analytical so he fits the bill.

“And then you’ve got Richard Hill who’ll spend half his time mentoring our young players – we’re very keen to bring as many good young players through as we can – and half the time earning a few bob for the place.

“Over the next four or five years I’d like to see some of these assistant coaches become head coaches, either here or at other organizations in England. Then we’ll be doing our part as an English club.”

Having watched the southern hemisphere teams dominate their northern rivals in this summer’s Test matches, Jones believes that the home nations have ground to make up in several areas. 

“Tactically and physically, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa looked much better sides,” he said. “Although England were physical and aggressive and got stuck in, they looked limited in the way they used the ball, and it was the same with Wales.”